|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Ranthambore
Wildlife Sanctuary
Ranthambhore, in the
state of Rajasthan,
is one of the
smallest Project
Tiger reserves. It's
name comes from the
vast fort that
stands in the middle
of the forest. The
name Ranthambore is
derived from two
hills in the area,
Ran and Thanbhor.
Another version says
that Ranthambhore
was once called Rana
Stambhapura or City
of the Pillars of
War!
The Ranthambhore
National Park at the
junction of the
Aravalis and the
Vindhayas is a
unique juxtaposition
of the natural and
historical richness,
standing out
conspicuously in the
vast, arid and
denuded tract of
eastern Rajasthan,
barely 14 kms. from
Sawai Madhopur. The
elegant Ranthambhore
fort called the Jogi
Mahal is now the
forest rest house. |
Sariska Wildlife
Sanctuary
This park is
situated only 200 km
from Delhi and 107
kms from Jaipur.
Although larger than
Ranthambor, it is
less commercialised
and has less tigers
but a similar
topography. It
covers an area of
800 sq km in total,
with a core area of
approximately 500 sq
km. The Northern
Aravali Hills
dominate the skyline
with their mixture
of sharp cliffs and
long narrow valleys.
The area was
declared a sanctuary
in 1955 and became a
National Park in
1979.
The landscape of
Sariska comprises of
hills and narrow
valleys of the
Aravali hill range.
The topography of
Sariska supports
scrub-thorn arid
forests, dry
deciduous forests,
rocks and grasses.
The broad range of
wildlife here is a
wonderful example of
ecological adoption
and tolerance, for
the climate here is
variable as well as
erratic. |
 Bhensrod
Garh Sanctuary
A fairly new
sanctuary, it was
established in 1983
and covers a total
area of 229 sq km of
scrub and dry
deciduous forest.
Leopards, chinkara,
sloth bear can be
spotted here if one
is lucky.
The best time to
plan you safari in
Bhensrod Garh
Sanctuary is between
October and May. |
 Darrah
Sanctuary
An erstwhile royal
hunting preserve of
the Maharaja of
Kota, it is a
thickly forested
sanctuary lying
along the
southeastern border
of Kota. This hilly
sanctuary with thick
forests is worth a
visit.
The animals here
include Wolf, Sloth
Bear, Chinkara and
Leopard. This
sanctuary is
stretched in the
area of 250 sq Kms,
almost 50 Kms from
Kota. The best time
to visit is between
February and May. |
|
Desert National
Sanctuary
The Desert National
Park is an excellent
example of the
ecosystem of the
Thar Desert and its
rich fauna. The
Sudashri forest post
is the most ideal
place for observing
wildlife in the
Desert National
Park. Sand dunes
form less than 20
percent of the Park,
which consists of
craggy rocks,
pavements and
compact salt lake
bottoms, intermedial
areas and fixed
dunes.
Its inhabitants
include the
blackbuck, chinkara,
wolf, Indian fox,
desert fox, hare and
desert cat. Flights
of sandfrouse start
coming to waterholes
from sunrise
onwards. One also
hear the morning
call of the grey
partridge. Blue
tailed and green
bee-eaters, drongos,
common and bush
quail and Indian
rollers are birds,
which are commonly
found around
waterholes. the park
is also home to the
great Indian Bustard
which is peril of
extinction. |
|
Jaisamand
Sanctuary
Established in
1957,this sanctuary
is located beside
the man-made lake of
the same name.
Covering a total
area of 160 sq km,
it harbours sloth
bear, leopard,
chital, chinkara,
wild boar and a
number of birds.
Some crocodiles and
fish can also be
spotted here. Best
time to visit is
between November and
January. |
|
Keoladeo National
Park
This magnificent
bird haven in actual
came into being
paradoxically as a
duck shooting
preserve for
Maharaja Suraj Mull
of Bharatpur. He
transformed the
shallow depression
formed by the
confluence of River
Gambhir and River
Banganga into a
reservoir by damming
the rainwater in
monsoons.
Flooding of water
created shallow
wetland ecosystem
causing it to be a
perfect habitat for
an astounding
variety of birds.
The park that was a
hunting preserve for
the Maharaja and the
British continued to
be so till 1964,
after which the
hunting was banned. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
